TRSA says C. diff. study of hospital laundry exaggerates contamination risk

The study suggested that soiled clinical linens may be a source of c. difficile surface contamination at a laundry


TRSA said the conclusions of the FEMS Microbiology Letters — “Clostridium difficile environmental contamination within a clinical laundry facility in the USA,” fueled misleading impressions of hospital laundry cleanliness, according to an article on the Textile World website.

“The report suggests that ‘soiled clinical linens may be a source of c. difficile surface contamination’ at a laundry,” said TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci. 

Several areas of the study were referenced by the TRSA:

• No significant contamination was found on the clean side of the subject laundry

• It was expected that the soiled linen area would be more vulnerable to contamination than clean areas

• No conclusion was reached regarding soiled linen contamination as a risk to laundry workers

• In processing hundreds of millions of soiled healthcare linens each year for decades, the number of documented cases of contamination or transfer of C. diff or any other transferrable disease or bacteria to an employee, patient or healthcare provider has no statistical bearing.

Read the article.

 

 



December 20, 2016


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

How Efficiency Checklists Help Hospitals Save Energy, Water and Money

Keith Edgerton explains how a simple, systematic tool can help healthcare facilities identify savings, support sustainability goals and reinvest in long-term decarbonization.


Designing with Heart: Seen Health Center Blends Cultural Warmth and Clinical Care

Case study: The Alhambra-based facility uses Wilsonart Woodgrains to create a space where comfort, tradition and durability come together for an elevated senior care experience.


Rutgers Health and University Hospital Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

The groundbreaking follows the long-awaited demolition of administrative offices built in the 1970s.


What to Consider When Modernizing Healthcare Facilities

While there has been a call to preserve old buildings, healthcare facilities need to weigh the options of patient care.


Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital to Build New Tower

The tower is expected to be completed in 2030.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.